Cabinet construction



April 7, 1959 A. LIEBMAN Filed Nov. 15, 1957 CABINET CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 f/ If J7 FIG. I.

awn r02 ALEC HEB/144M Apri! 7, 1959 A. LIEBMAN CABINET CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 15, 1957 United CABINET CONSTRUCTION Alec Liebman, Flushing, N.'Y. ,ApplicatiomNovember 15, 1957, Serial No. 696,794 3 Claims. '(Cl. 312-267) This invention relates generally racks and like storage devices.

While the instant invention has been primarily developed for use as a file cabinet, or the like, and will be illustrated and described hereinafter with particular reference thereto, it is appreciated that the subject device-is capable of a wide variety of applications, all of which are intended to be comprehendedherein.

As is well known, say in the held .of office management, files must be stored in a manner affording ready and convenient accessibility. Toward this end, a standard file .cab'inet height of approximately 50 inches has developed. However, this isan unsatisfactory compromise, as both the top and bottom drawers may be difiicult to work in for persons of average height. In addition, this leaves unused all of the often costly spacetdirectly over the file cabinets. While certain previous ,devices have attempted to remedy this situation, these devices have not proved satisfactory for many reasons, notably their relatively expensive and complex construction.

It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide a cabinet construction which entirelyovercomes the abovementioned difliculties,,atfording personnel ready access to the cabinet contents without assuming inconvenient and dangerous body positions, and Which is capable of utilizing.substantiallythe entire floor :to ceiling height.

,It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cabinet construction having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in .the preceding paragraphs, which is capable ofsimple design and inexpensive manufacture, entirely reliable in operation, and adapted to serve a long useful life with minimum maintenance and care.

Other-objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and refer.- ring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of constuctions, combinations ofelements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, "and of which the scope will The indicated by'theappended claims.

In-the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational-view showing a cabinet constructed in accordance-with the 'presentinvention;

lFig. 2 is -a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the -line2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along theline 33 of Fig.2;

-Fi g. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the-'line-44 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view, somewhat enlarged, and showing a slight modified embodiment of the invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to Figs. 1-4- thereof, a housing is there generally designated .10 and illustrated .as including .a generally rectangular, horizontal bottom wall 11, generally ,to cabinet structures,

2,88 1,04 l Patented lA'pr. Z, 1959 2 rectangular, vertically disposed front :and I631 walls .12 and 13 upstanding :from the bottom wall, generally :rectangular vertical side walls 14 upstanding from the bot- :tom Wall andextending forwardly and rearwardly between the front and rear walls, and a horizontally disposed :top Wall 15. The front wall 12 may be provided with one or more openings 16 at a convenient height; and, ashelf 17 of convenient height may also beafiixed to the front housing wall externally thereof. Interiorly of 'thehous- 0 ing 10, on each side wall '14 may be fixedly secured a vertically disposed rigidifying channel 18 extending from the lower housing wall 11 to the top housing wall 15.

A pair of generally vertically disposed rear tracks 20 and 21 are arranged inlaterally spaced, facing relation and fixedly secured to the inner surface of rear housing wall 13, on one side of the housing center line, the lefthand side as seen in Figs. .2 and 3. Similarly, a vertically disposed, laterally spaced pair of tracks 22 and 23 are fixedly secured on the inner surface of the front housing wall 12 to the left of the housing center line. As will appear hereinafter in greater detail, the tracks 20, 21, 22 and 23 definea generally vertically disposed guideway.

To the right of the housing center line, on the inner surface or the rear housing wall 13 are-provided an additional pair of vertically-disposed laterally spaced tracks 20:: and 21a, similar to .the tracks 20 and 21; and, an additional pair of generally vertically disposed tracks 22a and 23a are fixedly secured on the inner side of thehousing front wall "12 to the right of the housing center line, similar to the tracks 22 and 23. The tracks 20a, 21a, 22a and 23a combine to define a generally vertical guideway laterally spaced rightward from the vertical 'guideway 24 21, 22 and 23. In addition, a laterally extending, generally ,horizontahlower front track 24 extends between and connects 'the lower ends of front tracks 23a, 22a, 22 and 23, while a laterally extending lower horizontal'rear track 25 extends between and connects the lower ends of the vertically disposed rear tracks 21:1,20a, 2i) and 21. As will appear presently, the lower horizontal tracks 24 and 25 define a lower-laterally extending guideway. Also, an upper, front laterally extending horizontal track 26 is fixedly secured to the front housing wall 12, and ex tends between and connects the upper 'ends of front vertical tracks 23a, 22a, '22 and 23, while a rear, upper laterally extending track 27 is fixed to the rear housing wall 13 extending between and connecting the upper-ends of rear vertical tracks 21a, 20a, 20 and 21. The upper horizontally extending front and rear tracks '26 and 27 will be seen to define an upper lateral guideway connecting-the upper ends of the aforementioned vertical guideways.

As maybe observed in the drawings, all of the above described track members are fabricated of angle stock, one flange of which is secured to the adjacent housing wall. In Fig. 3 it will be noted that the upper rear track 27 have flange portions absent or removed to define track openings '28 and 29 respectively adjacent to the vertical tracks 20 and 21; and, the rear upper horizontal track also has openingsdefined by the absence :of flange portions at 280 and 29a adjacent to the vertical rear tracks 20a and 210. In addition, the vertical track 20 is formed with open regions defined by the absence of flange portions at '30, 3 1 and 32, while the vertical track 20a is formed with corresponding track openings 30a, 31a and 32a. It will be noted that the track openings 39 and 30a, are located in laterally spaced relation adjacent to and spaced below the 'upper horizontal track 27, while1he track openings '32 and 32a are located in laterally spaced relation contiguous to the lower horizontal track 25 and the track openings .31 and 31a are located in laterally spaced relation adjacent to and spaced above the track opening 32 and 32a. Corresponding track openings are also formed in the upper front track 26 and vertical front tracks 22 and 22a.

A plurality of compartments or carriers 35, all of substantially identical construction, are mounted in the track defined vertical and horizontal guideways for movement there along in a generally rectangular path. More specifically, each of the compartments 35 includes a pair of laterally spaced, generally vertically disposed side walls 36 extending forwardly and rearwardly in parallelism and provided at their forward ends adjacent to the front housing wall 12 with flanges 37, and on their rearward ends adjacent to the rear housing wall 13 with flanges 38. The side walls 36 of each carrier 35 are rigidly connected together on their underside by a pair of laterally extending forward and rearward flanged members or rails 39 and 40, the former being adjacent to the front housing wall 12 and the latter adjacent to the rear housing wall 13. As best seen in Fig. 4, the rails or flanged members 39 and 40 may be fabricated of channel'like stock having one side wall fixedly secured to the lower edges of the carrier sides 36, and having its other side or flange extending laterally in spaced relation below the carrier side. In particular, each of the under rails 39 has a laterally extending, forwardly projecting flange 41 spaced beneath its carrier sides, while each rear, under rail 40 has a laterally extending, rearwardly projecting flange 42 spaced beneath its carrier sides. The side walls 36 of each carrier 35 are further rigidly connected together on their undersides by a pair of laterally extending toothed racks, or other suitable driven elements 43.

Rigidly connecting together the side walls 36 of each carrier 35 on their upper sides are front and rear, laterally extending rails or flanged members 44 and 45, the former having a laterally extending, rearwardly projecting flange 46 spaced above the carrier side walls, and the latter having a laterally extending, forwardly projecting flange 47 spaced above the carrier sidewalls. In addition, one or more toothed racks or other suitable driven elements 48 may be secured extending rigidly across the upper side of each carrier 35, laterally thereof, in the space between front and rear rails 44 and 45.

Rotatably secured to the front carrier side wall flanges 37 are a plurality of rollers or wheels 50, say 4 in number, located in generally rectangular arrangement for rolling engagement with the front tracks 22, 23, 22a, 23a, 24 and 27; and, a plurality of rear rollers for wheels 51 are rotatably secured to the rear carrier side wall flanges 38 of each carrier say 4 in number, located in generally rectangular arrangement for rolling engagement in the rear tracks 20, 21, 20a, 21a, 25 and 27. It will now be appreciated that each carrier 35 is mounted by its rollers 50 and 51 for movement about the generally rectangular circuit of the vertical and lateral guideways. More specifically, the carriers 35 are each movable vertically in the vertical guideway 20a, 21a, 22a and 23a, and also movable vertical in the guideway 20a, 21a, 22a and 230 by rolling engagement of their rollers in the guideways. By reference to Fig. 3 it may now be understood that the track openings 28 and 29, and 28a and 29a, and the corresponding front track openings, accommodate or permit the passage therethrough of the upper front and rear rollers 50 and 51 of each carrier 35 upon vertical movement of the respective carrier into and out of its uppermost position. Also, each of the carriers 35 is movable laterally along the lower and upper lateral guideways 24 and 25, and 26 and 27, the lower front and rear rollers being supported by the tracks 24 and 25 upon lateral movement there along, and the upper front rear rollers being supported by the tracks 26 and 27 upon lateral movement upon the latter. During such lateral carrier movement, the carrier rollers are accommodated by or passed through the vertical rear track accommodated 30, 30a, 31, 31a, 32, and 32a,

and the corresponding front track opening. It is there fore now understood that the vertical and lateral guideways define a generally rectangular closed circuit about which each of the carriers 35 is adapted to travel; and further, that each of the carriers may travel throughout the entire path of the guideway circuit in an upright, nontilting, condition.

Extending forwardly and rearwardly on the interior of the carrier side walls 36 are a pair of tracks or guideways 55, which are adapted to slidably mount a drawer 56 having suitable side ribs or rails 57 slidably engageable in the tracks 55. Also, each of the carrier side walls 36 is provided with a laterally outwardly projecting fork or yoke 58, for a purpose appearing presently.

Extending entirely about the circuit of the vertical and horizontal guideways, within the housing 10, is a flexible, endless drive element, chain or belt 60. A plurality of sprocket wheels or pulleys are rotatably mounted interiorly of the housing 10, preferably in laterally spaced pairs symmetrical with respect to the housing as at 61, 62, 63 and 64. It may be noted that the right hand sprocket wheel or pulley 64 is carried by a motor or motive means 65, while the remainder of said sprocket wheels or pulleys are preferably freely rotatably carried by the reinforcing channels 18. In addition, three sprocket wheels or pulleys 66, 67 and 67a are rotatably carried by the housing top wall 15 by means of a journal hanger 68 suspended from the housing top wall, while three additional sprocket wheels or pulleys 59, 70 and 70a are rotatably carried on the housing bottom wall 11 by an upstanding, pedestal journal 71. The endless element 60 is trained over the several aforementioned sprocket wheels or pulleys to define a closed path circumscribing the closed circuit of vertical and lateral guideways and is movable about the closed path by operation of the motive means 65.

It will be observed in Fig. 3 that the path of drive element 60 extends vertically along and closely adjacent to both of the vertical guideways, while being appreciably spaced from the lower and upper lateral guideways. At spaced locations about the endless element are provided conveyor projections or lugs 75 located for supporting engagement with the yokes 58 of the carriers 35. That is, the vertical poritions of endless element 60 are located so as to be received in the outer yokes or forks 58 of the carriers in the vertical guideways; and, the outer yokes are adapted to seat on the chain projections 75 to elevate and lower the carriers. Thus, if the direction of chain movement be that of the arrows, see Fig. 3, engagement of the chain projections 75 with the outer yokes 58 of the carriers 35 in the left-hand vertical guideway efiects elevation of carriers therein, while engagement of the yokes 58 of the carriers in the right-hand vertical guideway by the chain lugs 75 enables the right-hand carriers to be lowered by gravity at the speed of chain movement.

Carried for rotation with the upper pair of sprocket wheels or pulleys 67 and 67a, respectively, are upper, laterally spaced pairs of drive wheels or gears 77 and 77a, while lower laterally spaced pairs of drive wheels 78 and 78a are respectively carried for rotation with the lower sprocket wheels or pulleys and 70a. That is, the upper drive wheels 77 and 77a are located above the guideway circuit, while the drive wheels 78 and 78a are located below the guideway circuit. As best seen in Figs. 3 and 4, a carrier 35 in the uppermost position of carrier travel has its upper toothed racks or driven members 48 in driven engagement with at least one pair of the upper drive wheels 77 and 77a, while a carrier in its lowermost position of carrier travel has its lower toothed racks or driven elements 43 in driven engagement with at least one pair of drive wheels 78 and 78a.

As may be observed in Fig. 4, the neither rails or flanged members 39 and 40 of each carrier 35 are located for respective interengagement with the upper rails or flanged members 44 and 45 of the next'lower carrier. Viewed otherwise. it may be stated that the forwardand rearward under rails 39 and 40 of each carrier 35 and the forward and rearward upper rails of the next lower carrier are respectively insertable into and withdrawable from each other for retaining engagement of the flanges 41 and 46 and of the flanges 42 and 47. That is, said flange engagement retains the carriers against vertical separation. Thus, relative to the indicated direction of carrier movement about the guideway circuit, clockwise as seen in Fig. 3, the lower rails 39 and 40 of the upwardly moving carriers are in retaining engagement'with the upper rails 44 and 45, respectively, of the next succeeding carrier, and the lower rails of each downwardly moving carrier are in retaining engagement with theupper rails of the next preceding carrier. Further, the under rails 39 and 40 of the carrier 35 in its extreme upward position'of movement are insertable into interengagement with the upper rails 44 and '45 of the next preceding carrier upon movement in the upper lateral guideway; and, the upper rails of the carrier in its extreme downward position of movement are insertable .into the .under rails of the next preceding carrier uponlateral movement along the lower lateral guideway.

Depending from the underside of housing top *wall 15, generally directly over the vertical guideway 20, 21, 22 and 23, are a plurality of brackets 80, each of whicbcarries a depending, pivoted hanger, hook or latch 81. The hangers or hooks 81 are normally held in the illustrated, generally vertical .positionof .Fig. 4"b.y suitable resilient means 82 and resiliently deflectable out of their normal position by engagement therewith of the upwardly moving upper carrier rails 44 and 45. That is, upon movement of a carrier 35 to its uppermost position, the rail flanges 46 and 47 engage with the hangers 81 to deflect the latter and enable the hangers to engage beneath the upper rail flanges. the condition illustrated in Fig. 4. Thus, the carrier is positively supported in its extreme upward position of movement by the hangers 81; and, the hangers allow the uppermost carrier to be shifted laterally as described hereinbefore. In order to stop upward carrier movement at its desired uppermost position the endless element or chain 60 is trained over the sprocket wheels or pulleys 63 and 62 so as to move the lugs 75 out of supporting engagement with the yokes 58, the condition shown in Fig. 3.

In the uppermost position of carrier movement, as mentioned hereinbefore, the upper driven racks 48 are in driven engagement with the drive wheel 77 which effects lateral movement of the carrier to the other vertical guideway. Driving engagement of the drive wheels 77a completes this lateral carrier movement. In addition, a leaf spring 33, or other suitable means, may be mounted interiorly of the housing and located in position to engage with the carrier attaining its uppermost position to urge the latter laterally when its rollers register with the rear track opening 30 and 30a and the corresponding front track opening. Similarly, a carrier in its extreme downward position of movement has its under racks 43 in driven engagement with the drive wheel 78a, by which it is shifted laterally to the other vertical guideway, which lateral motion is completed by driving engagement of the drive wheel 78 with the under racks 43. Of course, it is during this lateral shifting movement of the carriers in their extreme positions of upward and downward movement that the carrier rails are relatively withdrawn and inserted, as described hereinbefore. The necessary synchronization and timing of carrier movements in their vertical and lateral guideways is achieved by the driven connection of the drive wheels 77, 77a, 78 and 78a with the chain 60, and the relative sizes of the drive wheels and sprocket wheels 67, 67a, 70 and 70a.

While the operation of the device is believed to be apparent from the foregoing description, it may be briefly summarized as follows. It is only necessary for an operator to :start and stop the motive means 65 which effects movement of the endless element 60 about 'its path. By'this movement, the carriers 35 are elevated in one vertical guideway and lowered in the other. Also, operation of the endless element '60 effects rotation of the upper drive wheels'77 and 77a, and 78 and 78a which respectively serve to shift the carriers laterally in the upper and lower lateral guideways. When the desired carrier 35 is located in registry with one of the housing openings 16, its contained drawer or compartment may be slid forward oroutward through the opening for convenient access by .the operator.

,In'Fig. 5 is illustrated a slightly modified embodiment, wherein an upper flanged member or rail 44 is provided on the underside of its flange 46 with a bearing element or head 46' for engagement with the supportingflange 41 of under rail 39. Of ,course, any suitable bearing element may be provided at 46' to reduce the necessary operating forces and minimize wear.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a cabinet structure which enables an operator to quickly and easily obtain access to a relatively large storage volume, and which otherwise fully accomplishes its intendedobjects.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a cabinet construction, a housing, a pair of laterally spaced generally vertical guideways fixed in said housing, a pair of vertically spaced lateral guideways fixed in said housing and connected respectively between the lower and upper ends of the vertical guideways to define a closed guideway circuit, a plurality of carriers mounted in said guideways for movement about said circuit vertically in said vertical guideways and laterally in said lateral guideways, first drive means mounted in said housing adjacent to said vertical guideways and operatively connected to said carriers when the latter are in said vertical guideways for elfecting vertical carrier movement, second drive means mounted in said housing adjacent to said lateral guideways and operatively connected to said carriers when the latter are in said lateral guideways for effecting lateral carrier movement, whereby said carriers are adapted to be driven to any selected point along the path of said circuit, a laterally extending flanged member fixed on the upper side of each carrier for movement therewith, deflectable hanger means mounted in said housing above said guideway circuit for deflection into supporting engagement with the flanged member of each carrier upon its movement to the extreme upward carrier position, said hanger means serving to support each carrier in its extreme upward position of movement upon disconnection of said first drive means from the carrier, a laterally extending flanged member fixed to the underside of each carrier for movement therewith and arranged for lateral insertion into and withdrawal from a vertical retaining engagement with the upper flanged member of an adjacent carrier, said carriers being arranged about said guideway circuit for withdrawal of the under flanged member fo the uppermost carrier from its retaining engagement with the upper flanged member of the succeeding carrier and its insertion into retaining engagement with the upper flanged member of the preceding carrier upon carrier movement along the upper lateral guideway and withdrawal of the upper flanged member of the lowermost carrier from its retaining engagement with the under flanged member of the succeeding carrier and its insertion into retaining engagement with the under flanged member of the preceding carrier upon movement of the lowermost carrier along the lower lateral guideway.

2. In a cabinet construction, a housing, a pair of laterally spaced generally vertical guideways fixed in said housing, a pair of vertically spaced lateral guideways fixed in said housing and connected respectively between the lower and upper ends of said vertical guideways to define a generally rectangular closed guideway circuit, a plurality of carriers arranged in said guideways about said circuits, roller means mounting each of said carriers for movement along said guideways throughout the entire extent of said guideway circuits in an upright condition, endless drive means mounted in said housing extending entirely about said guideways circuit and operatively connected to said carriers to raise the latter in one vertical guideway and lower the carriers by gravity in the other vertical guideway, drive wheels mounted in said housing adjacent to the upper and lower regions of said guideway circuit and operatively connected to said carriers when the latter are in said lateral guideways for effecting lateral carrier movement, whereby said carriers are adapted to be driven to any selected point about the guideway circuit, a laterally extending flanged member fixed on the upper side of each carrier for movement therewith, deflectable hanger means mounted in said housing above said guideway circuit for deflection into supporting engagement with the flanged member of each carrier upon its movement to the extreme upward carrier position, said hanger means serving to support each carrier in its extreme upward position of movement upon disconnection of said first drive means from the carrier, :1 laterally extending flanged member fixed to the underside of each carrier for movement therewith and arranged for lateral insertion into and withdrawal from a vertical retaining engagement with the upper flanged member of an adjacent carrier, said carriers being arranged about said guideway circuit for withdrawal of the under flanged member of the uppermost carrier from its retaining engagement with the upper flanged member of the succeeding carrier and its insertion into retaining engagement with the upper flanged member of the preceding carrier upon carrier movement along the upper lateral guideway and withdrawal of the upper flanged member of the lowermost carrier from its retaining engagement with the under flanged member of the succeeding carrier and its insertion into retaining engagement with the under flanged member of the preceding carrier upon movement of the lowermost carrier along the lower lateral guideway.

3. A cabinet construction according to claim 2, wherein said endless drive means is operatively connected to said drive wheels to synchronize vertical and lateral movement of said carriers for proper insertion and withdrawal of said flanged members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,458,881 Gromer June 12, 1923 1,837,605 Baker Dec. 22, 1931 2,745,706 Mendelsohn May 15, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 576,381 Great Britain Apr. 1, 1946 

